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Page 258
would imply that she had married Ian only from necessityand it was not true. That thought and the memory of her recent pleasure washed away her quick anger.
"You would not wish Joanna to be unhappy, would you?" Alinor asked softly.
"Wish her unhappy! You know how much I love her. That was why I was so pleased when Salisbury suggested Geoffrey. Think how suitable they are in age and in disposition also. You do not know the boy as well as I, but he is kind and gentle, with a most loving heartand he is drawn to her. That was what gave Salisbury the idea. He could look considerably higher for a wife, even for his bastard, as well you know. The thing is, Salisbury is most anxious for Geoffrey's happiness. He feels he has done the boy a wrong, and he will go far to amend it."
Alinor could only be grateful that she had held her tongue. It was plain from what Ian said that he was considering Joanna's happiness. Nonetheless, she had no intention of contracting her daughter until she was sure of Joanna's preference.
"Unfortunately," Alinor sighed, "a woman's heart is not always a reasonable thing. I am sure what you say about Geoffrey is true, but if he does not wake her heart and body, he might be a saint and as beautiful as the morning and still make Joanna bitterly unhappy."
Ian's expression froze. "I see," he said quietly.
"My God," Alinor cried, having fallen all unaware into the pit she thought she had avoided, "you do not think I mean me as well!" She smiled at him. "Did I seem cold to you last night?"
He had to laugh, even though doubt still clawed at him. One thing he knew, Alinor had not been unhappy in her first marriage. What could she know about the subject then, unless Well, he guessed she had not welcomed this marriage. Perhaps she had been unhappy and then had come to terms with her fate. But if so, all

 
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